In the Coastal town of Vipingo, Kilifi County, a Ksh4.9 billion state-of-the-art tourism college is taking shape as the government rushes to complete the institution famed for its iconic buildings.
During an inspection visit by top government officials on Wednesday, January 12, it was revealed that the Ronald Ngala Utalii College was being undertaken in phases and the mega project was 71 per cent complete.
Led by Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, the officials toured the facility as they inspected President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy projects within the Coastal counties.
In his address, Kibicho stated that the project was conceptualised during the reign of the late President Daniel Arap Moi and approved during President Mwai Kibaki's administration.
However, he noted that the project was undertaken fully by the Jubilee administration after Uhuru assumed office.
"This is a flagship project that was conceptualised in 2012 and is supposed to expand our training programs in the hospitality industry.
"At completion, this project is set to accommodate 1,000 students and has all the facilities in training in the hospitality industry, paying special attention to the maritime sector," he stated.
He added that the facility will be opened late in the year adding that the facility will host 250 students during its first enrollment.
"We are happy to report that the overall completion of the isolated phase is at 71 per cent and you can see that some of these buildings are about to be completed and then we embark on the external landscaping work.
“We have decided as government to do a phased completion of this project that will admit most likely admit early next year or late this year the first batch of 250 students."
The college, which is famed for its iconic buildings, has faced challenges after Members of Parliament raised concerns over the cost of the project.
After several instances of stalling, MPs called on the government to complete the 52-acre project that was scheduled to be completed in 2019.
"The completion of this college is crucial to the tourism industry and will be tragic for this project to stall,” Ole Kenta, Narok North MP, stated.
